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Thursday, September 4, 2008
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Personal Reflection
Out of the three books that I read over the summer my favorite novel was The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. From the moment I started reading the book I was very intrigued with the many details in all of the stories. I really do not enjoy reading novels in general but this book was interesting enough for me to be able to enjoy it. There were many times when I was laughing about certain things and then a few minutes later I was close to crying (but I didn't) because of the way that the Wall's family lived their lives. I doubt there is no way I can live like that but I guess they didn't really know any better.
If someone held a gun to my head and asked me to suggest a good book to pick up this book would be close to the top of my list. It really moved me and I could relate to some aspects in the story. It is a good book to read so that you truly understand how hard life can be. What I would say that I learned the most from reading these three books and especially The Glass Castle is how good my life really is. In all three of the books the characters had to show great courage and determination to live their lives the way that they did. These books give me inspiration to live my life to the fullest and take every opportunity I can to make something with my life.
Summary of the Novel
The novel The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is the story of her childhood and growing up in a terribly poor family. The story consists of many tales about her parents who can't adjust to society and struggle to keep food on the table for their children. Jeannette's family consists of her father Rex, her mother Rose Mary, her brother Brian and her two sisters Lori and Maureen.
The story begins for Jeannette at the young age of three as her first memories are of her being scolded by boiling water as she tries to cook some hot dogs for herself. She spends the next few weeks in the hospital which just may be the best weeks of her childhood as she is able to eat the normal three meals a day. Jeannette's father then breaks her out early to avoid the bill.
The Walls family spends their lives in about three different places that are the most prominent in Jeannette's memory. The first location that they lived is in the desert at Battle Creek. The second location where the family lives is in Welch near Rex's parents. The third and final place where the Wall's live is in New York after the children grow up.
The desert is the first home of Jeannette and this is where most of her childhood takes place. This is the only time where the family is somewhat a true family and where they have the least amount of problems. They live in their grandma's old house which they inherited after her death. This is the only place where Jeannette truly feels at home during her childhood.
The town of Welch is one of the poorest towns in the United States during the 1970's. The Wall's have to move to Welch due to financial desperation in which they live with Rex's parents which Rex hates. The town of Welch gives the Wall's their biggest difficulties as a family and this is where they fall apart due to the harsh conditions. The children finally get sick of living in extreme poverty and save up enough money to move to New York.
The children move to Welch one by one as they save up enough money. Eventually the whole family moves out and the children become somewhat successful. Lori, Jeanette and Brian go to college and get quality jobs. Jeanette grows up to be a journalist. Brian grows up to be a successful detective. Rex Wall's dies from a heart attack after destroying his body all those years with alcohol. The final scene in the novel shows a Wall's family reunion five years after Rex's death giving a toast to him saying, "Life with your father was never boring."
The story begins for Jeannette at the young age of three as her first memories are of her being scolded by boiling water as she tries to cook some hot dogs for herself. She spends the next few weeks in the hospital which just may be the best weeks of her childhood as she is able to eat the normal three meals a day. Jeannette's father then breaks her out early to avoid the bill.
The Walls family spends their lives in about three different places that are the most prominent in Jeannette's memory. The first location that they lived is in the desert at Battle Creek. The second location where the family lives is in Welch near Rex's parents. The third and final place where the Wall's live is in New York after the children grow up.
The desert is the first home of Jeannette and this is where most of her childhood takes place. This is the only time where the family is somewhat a true family and where they have the least amount of problems. They live in their grandma's old house which they inherited after her death. This is the only place where Jeannette truly feels at home during her childhood.
The town of Welch is one of the poorest towns in the United States during the 1970's. The Wall's have to move to Welch due to financial desperation in which they live with Rex's parents which Rex hates. The town of Welch gives the Wall's their biggest difficulties as a family and this is where they fall apart due to the harsh conditions. The children finally get sick of living in extreme poverty and save up enough money to move to New York.
The children move to Welch one by one as they save up enough money. Eventually the whole family moves out and the children become somewhat successful. Lori, Jeanette and Brian go to college and get quality jobs. Jeanette grows up to be a journalist. Brian grows up to be a successful detective. Rex Wall's dies from a heart attack after destroying his body all those years with alcohol. The final scene in the novel shows a Wall's family reunion five years after Rex's death giving a toast to him saying, "Life with your father was never boring."
Theme and Tone
The novel The Glass Castle has one prevalent tone throughout the book: optimistic.
Even though Jeannette has no reason to she always seems that things will work out in the end. Everything could be going wrong but she could still see the silver lining or the light at the end of the tunnel. I wish that I could have her optimism.
Important Themes
This novel is full of important themes that show themselves many time throughout the story.
Alcoholism- Many times throughout the novel we see alcohol as a main issue. Rex is addicted to it and it often causes many rifts in the family.
Failed Dreams - Rose Mary has always had a dream of becoming a great artist but this never happens which causes her to not only destroy her chances at a good life but has a huge impact on her children.
False Claims - One dream that Jeanette has is the Glass Castle. The Glass Castle is just one of the many things that Rex promises to build or do for his family and especially Jeannette. Rex claims that they are going to strike it rich by coming up with many different type of inventions. The Glass House is where they were supposed to live once they got rich and the Glass Castle represents the pinnacle of Jeannette's optimism.
Even though Jeannette has no reason to she always seems that things will work out in the end. Everything could be going wrong but she could still see the silver lining or the light at the end of the tunnel. I wish that I could have her optimism.
Important Themes
This novel is full of important themes that show themselves many time throughout the story.
Alcoholism- Many times throughout the novel we see alcohol as a main issue. Rex is addicted to it and it often causes many rifts in the family.
Failed Dreams - Rose Mary has always had a dream of becoming a great artist but this never happens which causes her to not only destroy her chances at a good life but has a huge impact on her children.
False Claims - One dream that Jeanette has is the Glass Castle. The Glass Castle is just one of the many things that Rex promises to build or do for his family and especially Jeannette. Rex claims that they are going to strike it rich by coming up with many different type of inventions. The Glass House is where they were supposed to live once they got rich and the Glass Castle represents the pinnacle of Jeannette's optimism.
Conflict Between the Characters
There is often conflict between the main characters. Most of the time it is due to their poor living conditions. Other times it is due to the many problems that some of the characters possess. For example:
Rex's Drinking problem: Rex has a serious drinking problem that sometimes causes conflict with his children and him. Rex at one point steals the families food money so that he can drink.
Rose Mary's Art: Rose Mary is often buying art supplies for herself when she should be spending that money on food. Or she has a teaching degree but refuses to work because it takes away from her dream of being an artist.
The children's conflicts usually stem from the faults of their parents but they are almost always working as a team.
Rex's Drinking problem: Rex has a serious drinking problem that sometimes causes conflict with his children and him. Rex at one point steals the families food money so that he can drink.
Rose Mary's Art: Rose Mary is often buying art supplies for herself when she should be spending that money on food. Or she has a teaching degree but refuses to work because it takes away from her dream of being an artist.
The children's conflicts usually stem from the faults of their parents but they are almost always working as a team.
Characterization of Main Characters
Jeannette Walls- Jeannette is the protagonist of this story and she is the author. The story is about her childhood and her troubles growing up. Jeanette is quite intelligent and fully capable of taking care of herself which she proves many time throughout the book. She is a realist about everything except her father who she believes in with all her heart.
Rex Walls - Rex Walls is Jeannette's father who is actually a brilliant man that has many problems finding his way in society. He is a severe alcoholic which sometimes makes him behave poorly. He does truly care about his children especially Jeannette.
Rose Mary Walls - Rose Mary is Jeannette's mother who is at times fully engrossed with her dream of becoming an artist. She has a teaching degree but doesn't like to teach even though it is a good way to bring in money for the family. Rose Mary is also very lazy who actually seems to prefer being homeless than being in a healthy financial situation.
Brian Walls - Brian is Jeannette's younger brother who seems to bond the most with Jeannette. Many time throughout the novel he demonstrates great qualities such as bravery and intelligence.
Lori Walls - Lori is Jeanette's older sister who is the least like the rest of the family. She is a great artist and prefers to be indoors than outside unlike Jeannette and Brian. As a young child she is hampered by horrible vision and then receives glasses which totally changes her outlook on life.
Maureen Walls - Maureen is the youngest in the Walls family. She is not talked about as much as the rest of the children but when she grows up she has many problems with drugs among other things.
Rex Walls - Rex Walls is Jeannette's father who is actually a brilliant man that has many problems finding his way in society. He is a severe alcoholic which sometimes makes him behave poorly. He does truly care about his children especially Jeannette.
Rose Mary Walls - Rose Mary is Jeannette's mother who is at times fully engrossed with her dream of becoming an artist. She has a teaching degree but doesn't like to teach even though it is a good way to bring in money for the family. Rose Mary is also very lazy who actually seems to prefer being homeless than being in a healthy financial situation.
Brian Walls - Brian is Jeannette's younger brother who seems to bond the most with Jeannette. Many time throughout the novel he demonstrates great qualities such as bravery and intelligence.
Lori Walls - Lori is Jeanette's older sister who is the least like the rest of the family. She is a great artist and prefers to be indoors than outside unlike Jeannette and Brian. As a young child she is hampered by horrible vision and then receives glasses which totally changes her outlook on life.
Maureen Walls - Maureen is the youngest in the Walls family. She is not talked about as much as the rest of the children but when she grows up she has many problems with drugs among other things.
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